From Palau: La Maddalena Islands Full-Day Trip by Boat

The best part of this $59 boat trip is the sheer variety packed into one day: two beach stops, a photo pass by Budelli, a swim near Caprera, and views of the islands that are hard to reach on your own. The water around Spargi and Santa Maria is the star, with pale sand and clear shallows that make even a simple swim feel special.

I like the long beach stops, roughly 90 minutes at Spargi and 75 minutes at Santa Maria, because you have time to swim without watching the clock every few minutes. I also like the practical setup: toilets, a multilingual guide, and food and drinks available onboard. The main drawback is the boat’s size and popularity. In July and August, you should expect a full deck and crowded beaches.

Key points to know before booking

• Two proper beach stops: Spend about 1.5 hours at Cala Corsara on Spargi and 75 minutes at Santa Maria.
• The route changes by day: Monday, Tuesday, and Friday usually include a boat swim at Cala Coticcio, while Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday finish in La Maddalena town.
• Budelli is a photo stop only: You see Spiaggia Rosa and the Natural Pools of Porto della Madonna from the boat.
• Food is sold onboard: Pasta, mussels, sandwiches, drinks, and sometimes Nutella pancakes are available, but bring cash.
• Summer crowds are part of the deal: The islands are beautiful, but several boats may arrive at the same beach.
• Allow extra time in Palau: Traffic and the walk from parking to the maritime station can take longer than expected.

A full day among Sardinia’s northern islands

This is a boat tour for seeing a lot in one day rather than lingering in one quiet cove. From Palau, the Sea Star heads into the La Maddalena Archipelago National Park, a chain of islands known for pale beaches, granite rocks, and water that shifts from blue to green as the depth changes.

The crossing to Spargi takes less than 15 minutes, so the day begins quickly. You do not spend the morning on a long transfer. Instead, the boat gets you straight to the first beach, Cala Corsara, where you have about 90 minutes to swim, sunbathe, or look around the rocky edges of the bay.

The tour lasts about seven hours, though actual return times can vary. One recent departure returned about an hour earlier than expected, while another took closer to the planned schedule. Weather, sea conditions, and the timing of other boats all affect the day.

The boat has public restrooms and a crew that gives information in English, French, Italian, and Spanish. On some departures, guides such as Gabriele and Fabio have been singled out for friendly service and good spotting of dolphins. Still, the sound system may be hard to hear from every seat, so do not expect a detailed lecture at every stop.

Spargi and Cala Corsara: the first real swim

Spargi is the emotional high point for many people because the island looks almost exactly as you hope a Sardinian beach will look. Cala Corsara has bright sand, clear water, and scrub-covered hills around the bay. You can get off the boat and spend your time in the water, on the beach, or walking a short distance to see the coastal scenery.

The 1.5-hour stop is well judged. You have enough time to swim, dry off, and take photographs, but not so much time that the day loses momentum. Bring your own snorkel if you have one. The clear water is ideal for looking below the surface, and the tour specifically recommends snorkeling gear for the later stop near Cala Coticcio.

Cala Corsara is not a private beach. In high season, other boats may arrive soon after yours, and the sand can fill quickly. That is the tradeoff for visiting famous water and beaches without arranging your own boat. If you want empty sand and quiet coves, this is not the right style of excursion.

Pay close attention to the return time. The crew gives a meeting time, and the boat will not wait for a late return. A phone alarm is a good idea, especially if you have walked away from the landing point.

Budelli and Spiaggia Rosa from the water

After Spargi, the boat cruises along the eastern side of the island and continues toward Budelli. Here, the point is not a beach landing. The Sea Star stops or slows for photographs of Spiaggia Rosa, the famous pink beach, and the Natural Pools of Porto della Madonna.

You cannot treat this as a beach visit. The pink sand is protected, and the beach is photographed from the boat. That may disappoint anyone expecting a stroll on Spiaggia Rosa, but it also reflects the need to protect a fragile site that has attracted too much foot traffic over the years.

The Natural Pools are one of the best views of the day. The water sits between islands and rocks, creating a sheltered area with striking green and blue tones. Have your camera ready before the boat reaches the viewing area. Seats on the outside deck give you the easiest photographs, but the boat may be crowded.

This portion also reminds you why the tour works better as a scenic cruise than as a series of beach transfers. Some of the archipelago’s finest sights are protected or accessible only from the water.

Santa Maria: your second beach stop

Cala Santa Maria provides the second proper landing. You can walk off via the dock and reach a broad beach, then spend around 75 minutes swimming or relaxing on the sand.

Compared with Cala Corsara, Santa Maria gives you a different feel. The beach is larger and easier to reach from the landing point, so it suits anyone who prefers not to scramble over rocks. There is also an old lighthouse about one kilometer away. You can walk there if you are willing to use most of your free time, but you will need to keep an eye on the departure schedule.

The tour’s day-specific rules matter here. On Mondays, the Santa Maria beach stop may be replaced by Cala Garibaldi on Caprera because of National Park regulations. That means you should not book this outing expecting exactly the same beach sequence on every date.

As at Spargi, the time is enough for a proper swim but not a relaxed afternoon. Several boats may use the same bay, particularly in August. Arriving early in the season or later in the year may give you more space, although weather conditions become more important outside summer.

Cala Coticcio and Caprera: the clearest water stop

On Monday, Tuesday, and Friday departures, the final water stop is usually a swim from the boat near Cala Coticcio on Caprera. The bay is also called Tahiti, a nickname that reflects its small scale and tropical-looking water.

This is not a normal beach landing. You jump or climb from the boat into the water, so the stop suits confident swimmers more than anyone who needs an easy shoreline entry. The swim lasts about 30 minutes in the itinerary details, though the broader description allows up to an hour around Cala Coticcio. The exact time can depend on the day and sea conditions.

Bring a mask. The bay is described as a natural aquarium, and the main reward here is looking at fish in the clear water rather than lying on the sand. A waterproof phone case is useful for photographs, but the essential item is a towel and a secure place for your belongings.

Cala Coticcio can be difficult to see clearly when several boats gather outside the bay. You may enjoy the water more than the view of the beach itself. If you specifically want this stop, choose a Monday, Tuesday, or Friday departure and understand that weather or park rules can still change the route.

La Maddalena town on the other schedule

On Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday, the final stop is usually the historic center of La Maddalena rather than the Cala Coticcio swim. You get about an hour to walk through the streets, visit the church of Santa Maria Maddalena, or browse the shops.

This option gives the day a human and historical finish after hours of beaches and open water. While cruising toward town, the guide points out Cala Francese’s old granite quarries, the Guardia Vecchia weather station, Villa Webber, where Benito Mussolini was imprisoned, and the historic port of Cala Gavetta.

An hour is enough to get a feel for the center, but not enough for a slow meal, a museum visit, and serious shopping. If your priority is swimming, choose a day with Cala Coticcio. If you want a town walk and a glimpse of local life, the La Maddalena route is the better fit.

Some people prefer the town stop to another swim, while others see it as time taken away from the beaches. Neither choice is wrong. Check the day of the week before booking, because the route is a major part of the decision.

The return past Caprera and Santo Stefano

The return cruise adds several sights without requiring another landing. Depending on the route, you may see Santo Stefano, the former NATO base, Napoleon’s fort, and works connected with the G8 summit.

These views are easy to miss if you spend the whole time on the lower deck, so move around when the crew announces points of interest. The boat gives you a broad view of the archipelago, but commentary can be difficult to hear in wind or from the rear seats.

The long periods underway are not wasted, but you should know what kind of day you are buying. Around three hours may be spent on the two main beaches and the swim stop, with the rest divided among cruising, sightseeing, boarding, and the town or photo stops. If you dislike sitting on a boat for extended stretches, a smaller, more focused excursion may suit you better.

Food, space, and the practical side of the boat

Food is not included, but the Sea Star sells meals and snacks onboard. Options reported on recent trips include pasta with tomato sauce, black mussels, sandwiches, drinks, and Nutella pancakes. Several people found the food tasty and reasonably priced, while older feedback was less positive about the meal quality.

I would treat the onboard kitchen as a convenience rather than the reason to book. Pasta and mussels can make the day easier, especially since the tour leaves late morning and returns in the afternoon. Still, bring snacks if you have dietary needs or want more choice.

Carry cash. The landing fee is paid in cash, €5 per person from June through August and €2.50 in September. Network problems can also interrupt card payments onboard or on the islands. A credit card is useful, but it should not be your only payment method.

The boat provides seats for everyone, but the deck may feel crowded in peak season. Some people find the crowd manageable because they always have a seat, while others want more room and less engine noise. Smoking has also been a complaint on some trips, so anyone sensitive to smoke should choose their place carefully and use the beach stops as a break from the boat.

What to bring and how to avoid a rushed morning

Meet inside Palau’s Maritime Station on Via Piazza del Molo, at box 4 or 5. Check-in runs from 9:00 to 10:00 in the stated arrangements, with departure at 10:30. Do not cut this close.

Parking and traffic around Palau can slow you down, and the walk from a parking area to the boat may take about half an hour. Arrive early enough to find the maritime station, complete check-in, and board without running.

Pack:

• Swimwear, towel, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat
• Comfortable shoes for the dock, beach, and possible lighthouse walk
• Snorkeling gear, especially for Cala Coticcio
• Cash for the park landing fee, food, and drinks
• A camera and a secure bag for the boat
• Snacks if you want more than the onboard menu

Oversize luggage is not allowed. The excursion is also not suited to wheelchair users, people with mobility impairments, or pregnant women under the stated restrictions. Boarding, beach landings, and swimming from the boat all require reasonable mobility.

The tour offers free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure, and you can reserve now and pay later. If you arrive late or miss boarding, you lose the right to a refund. Bad weather can also lead to a changed route, an alternative stop, or cancellation.

Is $59 good value?

At $59, this is a strong value if you want a first look at the archipelago without hiring a private boat or arranging several separate transfers. You get a full day on the water, two beach visits, protected sights seen from the boat, multilingual guidance, restrooms, and the chance to swim at Caprera on the right dates.

The price is less attractive if your main goal is solitude. You are paying for access and variety, not privacy. A busy boat and busy beaches are likely in July and August, and a smaller craft may offer a calmer day at a higher cost.

The tour also saves planning time. You do not need to compare island ferry connections, arrange a beach transfer, or work out how to see Spargi, Budelli, Santa Maria, Caprera, and La Maddalena in one day. That convenience is the real value.

Who should book this boat trip?

Book it if you want a broad introduction to the islands, enjoy swimming and scenery, and prefer a ready-made day with a clear route. It suits couples, families with mobile older children, and first-time visitors who want to cover several famous sights.

Choose carefully if you dislike crowds, need quiet commentary, or prefer long walks and cultural visits. The boat can be busy, the beach stops are fixed, and the sound system may not carry well everywhere.

My advice is simple: choose Monday, Tuesday, or Friday for the Cala Coticcio swim, and Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, or Sunday for the La Maddalena town visit. Arrive early, bring cash and snorkeling gear, and accept that the famous beaches will not be yours alone. If you can live with that, this is an efficient and good-value way to see the archipelago in one day.

FAQ

Where does the boat tour depart from?

The meeting point is inside the Maritime Station in Palau on Via Piazza del Molo, at box 4 or 5. Check-in is listed from 9:00 to 10:00, with departure at 10:30.

How long does the excursion last?

The planned duration is seven hours. Actual timing may change because of weather, sea conditions, and the pace of the stops.

Which islands and beaches are included?

The route includes Spargi, Budelli, Santa Maria, and Caprera. Depending on the day, the final visit is either Cala Coticcio for a boat swim or the historic center of La Maddalena.

Can I visit Spiaggia Rosa on Budelli?

No. Budelli is a photo stop from the boat, so you see Spiaggia Rosa and the Natural Pools of Porto della Madonna without landing on the beach.

Is food included?

No. Food and drinks are available for purchase onboard. Options can include pasta, mussels, sandwiches, drinks, and Nutella pancakes. Cash is recommended because electronic payments may not always work.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The operator may change the route, replace a stop, use an alternative route, or cancel the tour because of adverse weather conditions.